Karen, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

DESTINATION LIFESTYLE and DESIGN with Michael Blue of Forte Homes

April 24, 2018 by Karen

DESTINATION LIFESTYLE and DESIGN with Michael Blue of Forte Homes

The Forte Difference – Integrity

At Forte Homes, we know that the client comes first. We have been top-ranked custom home builders for 25 years and will continue our dedication to quality with your build. We have built our business and reputation on being positioned to deliver a high-quality product and customer satisfaction with each and every home for each and every family.

By focusing on our key strengths as a team we know we can deliver you the home building experience of your dreams. These strengths are teamwork, predictability, value and convenience. You will see evidence of them in everything we do.

Our Strength: Teamwork

Each of our customers is supported by a four person team. Each member of the Forte team brings their own strengths to your project.

Co-owners John Cochran and John Perkins have been partners and custom home builders since the beginning. One of the owners will be your project manager. Both have engineering backgrounds and together they have project managed over 500 homes.

Our project coordinators have a combined 45 years of experience in project management and customer relations. They support the project managers and site superintendents throughout the entire design and construction phases of the project.

Our site superintendents all have an extensive background in the construction industry and have all been licensed general contractors in the field. Their sole focus and dedication is ensuring that our subcontractors build your home to the highest quality.

Our accountant ensures that all the financial aspects of the project, including coordination with the construction lender, run smoothly.

Our entire team is committed to your home and to keeping the project running smoothly from conception to final walk-through.

We don’t stop there – we are also proud to refer you to the best of the best in your extra services – we consistently review and assure the quality of pool design firms, landscaping companies and interior designers. If we recommend them to you, you know that we trust the quality of their work.

Our Strength: Predictability

Forte Homes has been in business continuously since 1993. We have been ranked by Phoenix Business Journal in the top 10 custom home builders in the valley for most of the last 25 years. You can count on us to be there in the future.

We believe that even for your Dream Home, you need to be able to plan and budget. We do not use the “cost plus” model that many other custom home builders use. Instead we offer Fixed Price Contracts – your final price is not dependent on the rising costs of labor and materials. Should you require a change to the original plan, this may incur an additional cost, but otherwise the price we quote is the price you pay. You can take that to the bank.

Our Strength: Value

We are proud of our unsurpassed ability to deliver the highest quality product and service at the most competitive price in the industry. Our clients trust us to help value engineer their homes – to ensure that all materials deliver the best performance required at the most reasonable price available.

Our Strength: Convenience

The Design Center at Forte Homes is unique among custom home builders in the Phoenix area. We boast a large showroom stocked with a wide range of materials for all parts of the build. No running from warehouse to store, we can discuss all your materials in the comfort of our beautiful showroom.

Should you or your interior designer wish to shop around or source materials elsewhere, we will also be happy to work with your outside vendor.

Connect with Michael Blue on LinkedIn, and follow Forte Homes on Instagram, Facebook and Houzz.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION LIFESTYLE and DESIGN RADIO SERIES

The Valley of the Sun is a HOT destination; and, it’s only partly due to our summer heat. We’ve got it all, from unique desert landscaping to lush golf course communities * world renown resorts & spas to funky restaurants & nightlife * distinctive and noteworthy artists to the ever-popular professional sports teams.

Join us on the 3rd Friday of every month as Jeanine Dougherty and j nine designs, llc brings you the “destination lifestyle & design” series – shining the spotlight on high-end influencers and the best businesses in Arizona.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

“Incredible interior design doesn’t happen by chance” is a statement shared by Jeanine Dougherty and one not to be taken lightly. As a professional and impeccably trained Designer, Jeanine draws on her instincts and inspiration to develop a style that is a unique blend between creativity and logic, linked to intuitive sociology.

With an ASU Degree in Interior Design and impressive work experience with high-end residential designers; private villa installations in Mexico; hotel property designs in the US and abroad; and, working with local professionals and celebrity clients, Jeanine’s passion shines through and surpasses her clients’ expectations each and every time.

E5 Jenn Tanabe from Vertical Measures and Kim Essendrup from Kolme Group

April 23, 2018 by Karen

E5 Jenn Tanabe from Vertical Measures and Kim Essendrup from Kolme Group

Kim Essendrup solves problems. For the last 20+ years, he’s been a Project Manager, Program Manager, PMO manager and consultant. He had lead international infrastructure and M&A programs, and delivered project management training and coaching to domestic and international clients as a PMI Registered Education Provider.

He is one of the founding partners of Kolme Group, LLC, which was started by three PMO managers who grew so tired of the accepted “status quo” of poor Project and Portfolio Management solutions, that they teamed up to bring Data Driven PPM to portfolio managers everywhere.

Kim is also the founder and co-host of the Project Management Happy Hour podcast, where he and his co-host Kate share honest discussion about Project Management, whether it’s chilled-out or on the rocks.

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn. You can also view Kolme Group’s free whitepapers comparing 100 PPM tools and key differentiators between PPM solutions.

Jenn Tanabe is a seasoned project manager who oversees Inverstis Digital’s (formerly Vertical Measures) project management team. She has nearly 10 years of digital marketing experience in strategy, content creation, SEO, amplification, lead nurture, and website development. At Vertical Measures, Jenn’s proactive, supportive and upbeat approach to leading the project management team helps in delivering successful projects to their clients.

In addition to leading her team, Jenn oversees the day-to-day team resource capacity and resource forecasting for the agency. She also project manages a few enterprise-level accounts, helping to plan, control scope, identify and mitigate risk, while effectively communicating with both her clients and her internal team.

Jenn is an Arizona local with an MBA from Arizona State University. She completed her undergraduate degree at The University of Arizona, where she majored in marketing. In her free time, she can be found walking her goldendoodle, Winston, cooking, checking out new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, riding her bike around town, watching sports, practicing yoga and enjoying the outdoors.

Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn and Twitter.

ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE HOURS SERIES

Project Management Office Hours is intended to provide Project Management professionals a place to drop in and discuss Success Stories, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned. Project Management Consultant Joy Gumz has shared with us, “Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides the light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.”

Each of us has a unique story to tell, but collectively we share a message that organizations who embrace Project Management Best Practices perform better than those which don’t. Organizations which align Projects to Strategy perform better. Organizations with Engage Executive Sponsors deliver better results. Organizations which measure Project Management performance outperform those which don’t.

During our Project Management Office Hours, we hear directly from Industry leaders how to make an impact in our profession. How we, collectively, will Advance Project Management Best Practices, One Listener at a time!

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Joe Pusz started THE PMO SQUAD to bring real world PMO Leadership experience to the consulting space and to advocate for Project Management through his blog PMOJOE.com. The old saying is “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Following this mindset Joe left Corporate America in 2013 to start THE PMO SQUAD and work with fellow Natural Born Project Managers to advance Project Management Best Practices.

THE PMO SQUAD focuses exclusively on PMO and Project Management consulting. Corporate America is full of Accidental Project Managers running projects who haven’t been trained to be PMs. To help solve this problem THE PMO SQUAD is on the Leading Edge with PMO As a Service. PMO As a Service allows our clients to focus on their respective core competencies while THE PMO SQUAD delivers Project Management expertise. Contact Joe at 678-591-7868.

Jacqueline Destremps Another Hand Advantage with Margo Brown Wave Productivity and Coach Erin Garcia

April 11, 2018 by Karen

Jacqueline Destremps Another Hand Advantage with Margo Brown Wave Productivity and Coach Erin Garcia

Jacqueline Destremps is a creative marketing strategist and founded Another Hand Advantage in 2014 to help community minded small business owners and nonprofit professionals move forward more confidently with their marketing strategy. After graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Psychology, she has spent her professional career working in both the nonprofit and for-profit sector.

She now enjoys being self-employed and the flexibility it provides to allow more time to volunteer, serve on nonprofit boards, choose pro-bono projects, run 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun (which she cofounded in 2014) and travel the world. Jacqueline believes in creating connections between businesses and nonprofits in the community to stimulate growth and collaboration.

Connect with Jacqueline on LinkedIn, and follow Another Hand Advantage on Facebook and Instagram.

Margo Brown of Wave Productivity specializes in increasing the focus, organization and productivity of entrepreneurs, small business owners, telecommuters, and those working in home offices. Taking a caring and non-judgmental approach, she creates organized systems that fit the unique needs of her clients.

Margo has worked in productivity and organizing for over 15 years in a variety of situations. In 2006, Margo collaborated with other productivity experts to publish the book “Exploring Productivity”. In 2016, Wave Productivity’s blog was awarded Top 100 Productivity Blogs on the internet.

She received her Specialist Certificate in Workplace Productivity through the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals.
Through the Institute of Applied Coaching, an accredited program through the International Coaching Federation, Margo received her certification as a C.O.C-Certified Organizer Coach.

As a member of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, she has been nominated for Emerging Entrepreneur in 2015 and a Finalist for Women Business Owner of the Year in 2017. Currently, she chairs the Women In Business Council.

Connect with Margo on LinkedIn, and follow Wave Productivity on Twitter and Facebook.

Starting her first business at age 17, Coach Erin has always had the entrepreneurial spirit. So it was no surprise when she opened her own coaching practice to help others succeed in business.

Coach Erin brings clarity to overwhelm, turns confusion into confidence and transforms chaos into calm. She makes selling more comfortable, business more manageable and marketing more successful.

Join forces with Coach Erin and get your ideas, emotions, services and marketing working together towards the success of your dreams.

Connect with Coach Erin on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Dr Karen Jacobson with Bruce Wuollet Phil Singleton and Liza Czopp

April 10, 2018 by Karen

Dr Karen Jacobson with Bruce Wuollet Phil Singleton and Liza Czopp

As a High-Performance Strategist Dr. Karen Jacobson shows executives and professionals how to align, engage and lead High-Performance Teams.

Her High-Performance Triad offers half and full-day programs for executives, professionals, management, and teams to help you play at the top of your game. These highly interactive programs cover areas from mindset to skillset, most importantly they are fully customizable to YOUR COMPANY needs. Her programs develop better individual and team communication, increased engagement, decrease resulting in improved productivity elevating the company’s bottom line.

Israeli Military Commander, Doctor, Champion Ballroom Dancer. What these have in common isn’t the what, it’s the “who”. Dr. Karen Jacobson integrates her diverse background into her personal brand as a keynote speaker at state and national conferences and corporate events, including team training.

With over 30 years of training experience, Dr. Karen mesmerizes audiences with her high-caliber presentation style, while relating her groundbreaking framework regarding communication in the face of adversity, based on her experiences with arduous military training, then later as an award-winning ballroom dancer.

As an expert in communication, Dr. Karen Jacobson is the author of Power Conversations, the first book in a series representing her “High-Performance Triad,” a trademark-pending, effective strategy for creating YOUR highest edge. Your audience and teams will leave energized and armed with an arsenal of new skill sets and tools, to provide lasting transformation.

Connect with Dr. Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Bruce Wuollet began working in real estate in 2001 with tax lien foreclosures. It was during this time he learned how to research public records, to understand how title works and the legal side of real estate. He soon realized the huge opportunity in pursuing vacant homes that were not in tax lien foreclosure. By the summer of the 2002 he had picked up 3 investment homes, a duplex & a triplex. In the first year and a half he was introduced to private financing, deal partnering, cash flow and forced equity.

In October of 2002 Bruce partnered with Jack Martin to form Bakerson, LLC. Bruce’s knowledge for title work coupled with his ability and experience in research as well as his passion for the legal side of real estate makes each transaction that much more secure.

Efficient systems within the organization are key to profitability and expansion. Bruce has a unique ability to build new systems as well as streamline existing ones.

Bakerson is a multifamily operator and sponsor based in Phoenix, AZ currently focused on repositioning apartment buildings in Arizona. Bakerson specializes in purchasing troubled multifamily assets and creating a home for its residents. Bakerson, as a family owned business with deep roots in the fabric of Arizona’s community, creates communities which are safe, functional, durable, and clean. Our promise – leave all things better than we found them. And, we do not hurt those we are trying to help.

Connect with Bruce on LinkedIn.

Phil Singleton is committed to creating a first-class financial services experience with his firm to address the estate planning goals of individuals, families and businesses.

Phil works with his team of Financial Representatives and Specialists who are known for integrity and professionalism. The firm has grown and evolved, but still exemplifies the same values the founder revered more than five decades ago.

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn.

A model of superb service, integrity and professionalism, Liza Czopp is the REALTOR of choice. She knows what it takes to help accomplish your real estate goals.

Liza joined Berkshire Hathaway with 15+ years of Real Estate and Mortgage experience, coupled with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Liza’s experience, attitude, and positive outlook, along with the knowledge and understanding of the principles of real estate, provides her with the tools to negotiate a “win-win” scenario for all her first time home buyers, out- of-state investors, and “Owner-Occupied” families. Open communication has lead to long-lasting business and social relationships with her clients.

When looking for a real estate professional who displays integrity, leadership and confidence, contact Liza at 602-377-1317, or connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

SynTech18 with Arizona Small Business Association and VIP Guests

April 10, 2018 by Karen

SynTech18 with Arizona Small Business Association and VIP Guests

Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) and Phoenix Business RadioX would like to thank the following businesses and leaders for sharing their success stories with us ON AIR at Syntech18. Catch all of the radio replays here:

Business Wire with Ben Tracy, Regional Manager

Download Business Wire Interview Here

kaminario with Steven Patterson, West Partner Manager

Journey Employer Solutions with Steven Harris, Managing Partner of Journey AZ

Download Kaminario & Journey Interview Here

Infusionsoft with Nathan Folmer, Regional Partner Manager

Download Infusionsoft Interview Here

Li9 with Armando Arias, President

Download Li9 Interview Here

Global Pacific Voice with Ben Elkins, Chief Operating Officer

Download GP VOICE Interview Here

MicroAge with Patrick Bond, Senior Account Executive

Terra Verde with Mark Dallmeier, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

Download Microage and Terra Verde Interview Here

Mohr Partners with Jeffrey Garza Walker, Managing Partner

Download Mohr Partners Interview Here

Direct2MD with Scott Mara, Chief Sales Officer

Download Direct2MD Interview Here

Wendy McClellan with Structure for Success Nancy Hetrick with Smart Divorce Solutions and Wendy Anderson with Christian Anderson Law

April 9, 2018 by Karen

Wendy McClellan with Structure for Success Nancy Hetrick with Smart Divorce Solutions and Wendy Anderson with Christian Anderson Law

Structure for Success, is an HR consulting firm who teams up with business owners who do not have their own HR team and are looking to eliminate employee drama and put a stop to their attrition. These business owners are experiencing money leaks and feel overwhelmed. They can’t seem to focus on being the CEO because they are caught up in the minutia of their business.

Our clients are looking for time to focus on their profitability and building their business. My firm provides the clarity, direction and team synergy so they can grow their business and profits without having to handle or worry about the employee and HR details.

Wendy McClellan is Founder and CEO of Structure 4 Success. She is a graduate of ASU, a Kolbe Certified Consultant, and the founder of Structure for Success – an HR Consulting firm. Wendy has more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership and Workforce engagement.

Wendy’s forte is building businesses from the ground up and hiring and training line workers and leaders to be effective, ethical, and accountable. She believes strong relationships and effective communication are the keys to success, and regularly speaks on leadership, communication, personal empowerment, human resource issues, and business development.

Everything she does is centered on caring about her clients and her community. In the past five years she has been the Vice President of the Women’s Enterprise Foundation (WEF), the Secretary of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), a co-founder of the WOWOB (Women Owned, Women Operated Business) movement, and the Executive Director of the networking group WOAMTEC (Women on a Mission to Earn Commission). In addition to running Structure for Success, she is currently an instructor at ASU’s Lodestar Center.

Connect with Wendy via email, and follow Structure 4 Success on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Nancy Hetrick founded Smarter Divorce Solutions in 2011 after going through her own less-than-optimal divorce. She has over 18 years of experience in both investment management and financial planning. She provides full-service financial planning and investment management with Better Money Decisions in addition to her role as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst at Smarter Divorce Solutions. In 2016, Nancy founded the Divorce Financial Planner Training Center to offer continuing education to CDFA® holders everywhere.

Nancy is a Master Analyst in Financial Forensics, (MAFF™), a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), a Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC) and is trained in both mediation and Collaborative Divorce. Nancy is on the board of directors with the Collaborative Professionals of Phoenix, the treasurer for the Arizona Association for Conflict Resolution, an Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association of Professional Family Mediators, was the Finance Director for the National Association of Women Business Owners, 2014 and 2015, the 2015 NAWBO Business Owner of the Year, the 2014 Finalist in the BBB Business Ethics Awards, and was on the 2014 National Board of Advisors for the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts.

She has published articles in Huffington Post, DivorcedMoms.com, was the featured advisor in Morningstar Magazine and is the author of Divorce Is Not For Dummies, How To Cover Your Assets. In 2017, she co-authored The Stress-Free Divorce, Volume 2

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her 4 children and two grandchildren.

At Smarter Divorce Solutions, we offer Divorce Done Differently. Why waste your hard-earned dollars in an expensive court battle. We offer a mediated solution with financial expertise every step of the way. We combine the best of financial planning with the intricacies of divorce to help you structure a creative settlement solution that allows BOTH of you to keep more of your own money. We look at tax optimization, accurate valuation of all assets, and the long-term impacts of any settlement you consider. With an attorney to draft your final documents, you can rest assured that the legal aspects are covered without ever having to set foot in a courtroom.

Follow Smarter Divorce Solutions on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Wendy Anderson is a partner at Christian Anderson, PLC, a business law firm in Phoenix. The firm focuses on business matters, such as contract and agreements, employment law, marketing and advertising, entertainment and media, as well as estate planning and probate, litigation and mediation.

Wendy helps business owners and managers negotiate advantageous contracts that protect their company in its relationships with its customers, suppliers and distributors, workers, and among its business partners. As outside counsel, she is available with a single phone call to address a concern or discuss an idea. Her practice also includes handling probate matters and drafting wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. Additionally, she is a trained mediator and works with businesses and individuals to resolve their disputes as amicably as possible, either as a neutral third-party or as an advocate for a client.

Wendy has a unique perspective to offer her clients. Following 24 years’ experience in the Marketing and Advertising fields at both public and private companies, she is able to analyze an issue from both the legal and the business aspects. She works with her clients to understand the full scope of a matter, helping them to see what the results will likely be for all parties involved. As a business attorney, this skill tremendously benefits her clients and allows her to work as a partner in the resolution of any legal matters or questions.

To connect with Wendy, contact her via www.ChristianAndersonLaw.com

E4 David Dietz from Honeywell and Pete Stephens from Daicel Safety Systems

April 9, 2018 by Karen

E4 David Dietz from Honeywell and Pete Stephens from Daicel Safety Systems

David Dietz is a Senior Program Management Professional with diversified experience and success in program, project, financial, subcontract management, and supply chain product launches. Strong focus on business development, start-up, turn around & execution. Leader for some of the largest and most technologically complex development aerospace/defense programs and proven consulting skills for many commercial ventures.

Currently serves as a Senior Director in the PMO for Electronics Solutions. We develop and deliver products and service solutions to focused in the cockpit of commercial and military aircraft.

Honeywell Aerospace is a manufacturer of aircraft engines and avionics as well as a producer of auxiliary power units (APUs) and other aviation products. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, it is a division of the Honeywell International conglomerate. It generates approximately $10 billion in annual revenue from a 50/50 mix of commercial and defense contracts.

Connect with David on LinkedIn.

Pete Stephens, Program Manager for Daicel Safety Systems, is an Arizona native with Project Management roots in the Automotive, Aerospace, and Defense Industries. Pete is a Mechanical Engineer that has transitioned into Project Management gradually over the past 15 years.

Pete has experiences as an ex-pat PM in Germany and currently is focuses on implementing projects with safety components manufactured in Thailand and sold in China as well as his stateside projects. Pete can provide a unique perspective of traditional manufacturing processes, and the Maker Movement as he has had significant influence in both arenas.

Connect with Pete on LinkedIn, and find out more about Pete and his work by clicking the links below:

Army Cocreate

Rally Fighter Promo

Crowdsourcing Innovation with Pete Stephens

Assistive Technology and the Maker Movement

ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE HOURS SERIES

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

April 6, 2018 by Karen

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

The Leadership Lowdown was created to share the REAL story behind valley leaders’ rise to the top, and the truth about what it takes to TRULY succeed in life and business. Hear the raw stories of these leaders’ journeys…the pitfalls, the victories, and all of the heartaches and triumphs in between.

Ilana Lowery has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Phoenix Business Journal since August 2001. Prior to that, the Chicago native served as managing editor. She first joined the publication as a reporter and projects editor in 1995.

As a reporter she has covered banking and finance, travel, aviation, tourism and sports business. Prior to the Business Journal, she was an editor for Independent Newspapers Inc., a community newspaper chain based in Scottsdale.

Before moving to the Valley in 1989, Ilana was a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Newspapers in Chicago. An award-winning journalist, she also worked as a scriptwriter and associate producer for the NBC-TV affiliate in Chicago.

A 1986 graduate of the University of Illinois, Ilana earned BA degrees in Mass Communications and English. Currently, Ilana is an associate professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

In addition to the Hon Kachina Board of Governors, she is on the board of the Arizona Newspaper Association and executive board of Gabriel’s Angels. Ilana also is a member of the prestigious women’s professional associations Charter 100 and Central Phoenix Women.

Ilana served on the advisory board for the Greater Phoenix Jewish News and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Arizona Press Club and the Arizona Newspaper Association, which in 2015 presented her with the Order of the Silver Key, an honor for journalists who have been in the profession for 25 years or more, contributed to the journalism profession both locally and nationally, and have inspired fellow journalists.

Ilana was a 2014 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Athena Award finalist. In 2005, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council and in 2008, she was honored with a Woman of Distinction award by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America – Southwest.

Connect with Ilana on LinkdIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Abbie S. Fink is vice president/general manager of HMA Public Relations and has been with the firm since 1993. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications/social media strategies, special event management, community relations, issues management and marketing promotions.

Fink, an award-winning communications professional, is often called upon to present to a wide variety of business and civic organizations on such topics as media relations, social media and digital communications strategies, issues/crisis communications and special events management, and workplace development and culture.

She is a past president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy and a former executive board member. She is the recipient of the Phoenix chapter’s Percy Award and the national Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA.

Fink has both a master’s degree in mass communications and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She is an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University.

Connect with Abbie on Twitter and follow HMA Public Relations on Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Through U & Improved—an award-winning personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale—Jodi has redefined traditional leadership training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each and every individual who enrolls in any of the two-and-a-half-day experiential training classes. She and her elite training team have advanced the charge in heart-based leadership
development and empower U & Improved graduates with knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, home and within their communities.

Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Jodi has been recognized by industry publications and organizations for her work in leadership development and serves as a source of inspiration within the community. In 2015, she was honored as an “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and by the Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona with the “Amazing Women” award. She has received both the prestigious “Diversity Leader of the Year” and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Sterling Award.” She was also awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 and was a finalist for the Junior League of Phoenix’s Valley Impact Award. Jodi is a devoted single parent who volunteers her time at her daughters’ school programs and with organizations such as Angel Mamas, where she’s served on the board for three years.

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue with Founder Jodi Polanski and Co-Host Barbara Barnstead

April 6, 2018 by Karen

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue with Founder Jodi Polanski and Co-Host Barbara Barnstead

The mission at Lost Our Home Pet Rescue is to provide compassionate services to pets and people in crisis. Founded in 2008 in response to the economic downturn and, more specifically, the Phoenix area housing market crash, what began as a grassroots, foster-based network to rescue pets abandoned as a result of foreclosures or evictions quickly evolved into a resource to help those at risk of losing their pets due to life circumstances or financial hardships.

Lost Our Home has 6 programs that are designed to prevent pets from going to overcrowded shelters where they face an uncertain future and to keep pets with the families that love them. Their Adoption Program rescues and finds new loving homes for abandoned and owner surrendered dogs and cats. Their Temporary Care Program provides up to 90 days of pet care for individuals or families who are experiencing a life challenge or crisis such as job loss, homelessness, domestic violence, illness, injury or hospitalization. Their Pet Food Bank provides pet food and supplies to those who are temporarily unable to afford them. Their Pet Friendly Rental Program has a network of realtors who locate rental properties for more difficult to place pets due to breed restrictions or number of pets, then they donate 100% of their commission to cover pet deposits. Their Low Income Boarding program, offers low cost boarding for those who are unable to afford traditional boarding rates. And they operate a Pet Companion Shelter on the campus of Sojourner Center, one of Arizona’s largest domestic violence shelters, so that families fleeing abuse can keep their pets with them while they heal. Since 2008, they have helped more than 22,000 pets. This includes finding loving homes for over 4,500 cats and dogs. Reuniting more than 750 pets with their families following a crisis and feeding over 17,500 pets through their Pet Food Bank.

Jodi Polanski has been involved with animal welfare for more than 14 years. Prior to her career in the non-profit sector, Jodi spent 16 years in sales and management in both the retail and mortgage industries. Jodi founded Lost Our Home in 2008 in response to the thousands of pets in need as a result of the economic downturn and Phoenix-area foreclosure crisis. At the time, Jodi was working in the mortgage industry and saw firsthand the devastating effects the housing crisis had on people and pets. During that time, many pets were abandoned in foreclosed homes, often times without food and water. In response to the growing need, Jodi launched Lost Our Home Pet Rescue.

From heartbreak to hope, from extreme crisis to loving care, Jodi has used her extensive past business experience to create an innovative and efficiently operated pet rescue center that helps people while saving pets. In 2011, Jodi received a scholarship from the Arizona State University Lodestar Nonprofit Management Institute and earned her Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management. She has also been the recipient of many achievement awards throughout her career, and was most recently named an “Outstanding Woman in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2016. In 2015, she was honored as “Business Woman of the Year” by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce.

Follow Lost Our Home on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Our special guest Co-Host is Business Development Strategist, Barbara Barnstead. Her talents are in building and developing business relationships, new marketing initiatives along with strategic planning for progressive businesses looking to accelerate their market share and revenue growth.

Barbara was introduced to Lost Our Home Pet Rescue a few years ago when Jodi Polanski was being honored through the Tempe Chamber. As a dog lover and advocate for rescue animals, it made immediate sense for Barbara to volunteer for this important organization. Barbara has volunteered her time in helping Jodi make important business connections in the Valley to help her further this wonderful cause.